Student Advising Center

The Student Advising Center offers academic advising support and connections to other services to help students choose and complete their academic pathway. Services are offered through group and individual appointments and embedded course advising. Appointments can be scheduled on-campus or virtually via Skype.

Our highly trained professionals will assist you with academic planning, which includes:

Orienting you to the college and helping you navigate the first semester registration process

Academic and career coaching to help you make educational choices

Plans that shows you exactly the courses you need for your chosen academic pathway

Assistance with preparing for transferring to another college or university

Programs and activities to help you adjust to college and address possible barriers to your success

Advising Support Areas

The Student Advising Center provides academic advising for new students and students with college credit transferring to JJC from another college/university. Staff are also here to assist with general questions about transferring from JJC to another college/university.

Faculty Advisors are experts in specific career and major areas and available for most JJC programs. Before scheduling an appointment with a Faculty Advisor, students should be able to clearly answer the following questions.

Have you commited to a major of study

Do you know which career path you are pursuing within your major of study?

Are you planning to transfer to another college or university after JJC?

What school do you plan transferring on to (if applicable)?

If students can confidently answer these questions then they are ready to transition to major specific advising. Please review the Faculty Advisors list and contact information to schedule an appointment for major specific educational planning and transfer advising. If students still need assistance answering these questions and creating a clear plan please contact the Student Advising Center for an appointment.

The Student Advising Center assists students enrolled at other colleges or universities wanting to take classes at JJC (usually but not limited to the Summer Semester). Advisors help students identify classes that will transfer back to their primary institutions.

Meet Our Team

Manager, Student Advising Center

Sasah Tillman Richardson
Sasah holds a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northwestern University. She was a Harris Family Scholar at Northwestern University for her commitment to working with under-served and disadvantaged populations. Sasah transferred from Joliet Junior College in 2003 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Sasah has worked at JJC since 2010 in various advising roles. She served as the First Year Experience Coordinator and a First Year Retention and Advising Specialist since January 2015. Sasah also brings expertise to the role from her time as an adjunct Counselor at both JJC and Moraine Valley Community College. Additionally, she is active in several professional organizations, such as, NACADA (National Academic Advising Association), NCDA (National Career Development Association), and NODA (Association for Orientation, Transfer and Retention.

"My absolute passion in life is helping people recognize their potential and be the best they can. It’s so rewarding to help others recognize their strengths so they can overcome weaknesses and work to their full abilities. It’s even more rewarding to see those people I help then go and help others in the same way".

Success Coaches

Deborah Albert
“Debbie” Albert came to JJC as a Student Success Coach after completing a cultural exchange program in Spain, where she had the opportunity to teach English to grade school students. Debbie has held various positions at JJC including; Special Assistant to the President, Curriculum Specialist, and Degree Audit Clerk/SILP Secretary. Debbie co-chaired both the Diversity and Inclusion Committee as well as the President’s Academy of Leadership program. She had a critical role in developing and maintain the Student Planning Module and Degree Audit tools. In addition to her expertise in advising technologies, Debbie brings her extensive knowledge of curriculum to the Student Success Coach position. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Southern Illinois University and is fluent in Spanish, French, and Italian.

Elizabeth Rivera
Before accepting the position of Student Success Coach, “Lisa” Rivera worked at JJC as an Adjunct Counselor and College Success Instructor. Lisa is a skilled advisor with an in-depth understanding of the complexities of JJC students. She has spent the last seventeen years providing academic advising, educational planning and coaching, and personal support to students. She also worked as a Lead Mentor and Coordinator for the Project Success mentoring program. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Social Work from New Mexico State University and a Master of Social Work from University of Southern California. Before her time in higher education Lisa spent many years working in the mental health field as a clinician and administrator.

Kimberly Shamsi
Kim has extensive experience as an academic and career advisor. She came to JJC from Waubonsee Community College where she was a Career and Transition Advisor for the Adult Education program. There she provided academic and career advising, assisted students with the transition from adult education to post-secondary education and employment, and provided regular support to students to aid in retention. Kim also brings a wealth of advising experience and knowledge from her previous academic and career advising positions at the University of Akron, Wayne College, and Indiana University. Kim holds both a Master’s degree in College Student Personnel and Bachelor’s in Secondary Education from Bowling Green State University. Kim is active in NACADA (National Academic Advising Association), NCPN (National Career Pathways Network), and IACEA (Illinois Adult and Continuing Educators Association).

Kandis Wright
Kandis is a proud alumnus of Joliet Junior College, where she earned her Associates of Arts degree in Accounting. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Governor’s State University. Kandis brings experience from her work at the college as an Educational Outreach Specialist for the Educational Talent Search TRIO Program. In this role she was responsible for recruiting, supporting, and tracking the success of over 800 high school students. She also developed and planned several student programs and workshops with the purpose of transitioning high school students from underrepresented groups successfully to college. Kandis also previously worked as a Secretary in the Fine Arts Department. In addition to her work in higher education, Kandis is a Youth Volunteer in Chicago’s Lawndale community. In her free time she mentors, tutors, and provides overall support to disadvantage youth.

Robin Fitzgerald
Robin came to JJC in 2010 as an adjunct faculty member. She joined the Student Advising Center part-time in April 2013 as a Retention Specialist, and then moved into her full-time role in January 2015 as a First Year Experience Specialist. Robin has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and completed graduate work in Biological Anthropology with an emphasis on primate behavior. Robin works to help new college students transition and be successful in their first year of college.

“I love working with JJC students transitioning into their college experience, am here to help them successfully navigate their educational journey, and am excited to help them reach their academic goals.”

Brenna Bosma-Krass
Brenna joined the Student Advising Center in 2016. She comes to Joliet Junior College with 15 years of experience with an emphasis in New Student Orientation, Academic Advising, and Transfer Planning. She holds Masters of Education in Adult and Higher Education from Northern Illinois University. Brenna provides academic advising and transfer planning to incoming and continuing students. She also maintains the online New Student and Parent Supporter orientation platforms.

“I enjoy working with students and supporters and helping them navigate the first year of college and I consider it a privilege to help students pursue their educational and career goals.”